Picture this. You are standing under a starry sky along the stunning shores of Playa Del Carmen. You feel the sugary white sand beneath your toes and take in the gentle waves of the Caribbean Sea to your right. As the sun sets, jazz music from world-class musicians fills the air and takes over the night with a kinetic, positive energy that’s reserved for the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival, a three-night festival that’s held each year.
The Riviera Maya Jazz Festival is an experience that all music lovers should have at least once. Once you attend your first festival, though, you’ll probably want to make it an annual occasion. Consider these reasons why this special festival is a hit each November and attracts both local and international music lovers.
Lori Williams & Bob Baldwin perform at the festival in 2018.
Riviera Maya Jazz Festival
The Festival Is Free And Inclusive
The Riviera Maya Jazz Festival started in 2003 with a mission of bringing wonderful jazz music and special experiences to both visitors and locals. It is free and inclusive so that all who are in the area can enjoy live music from Grammy-winning jazz artists and otherwise acclaimed musicians. The positive environment of the festival is reflected in how the artists are enthusiastic and supportive of one another at the festival, too.
Top Artists Want To Play At The Festival
The lineup of critically acclaimed, popular artists who are scheduled to play at the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival in 2019 include UB40, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Chucho Valdés, Magos Herrera, New York Voices, Eliane Elias, PBug, Natalia Marrokin, and Sr. Mandril. The opportunity to see so many beloved jazz performers in such an idyllic setting is irresistible to many music fans who schedule annual vacations around attending the festival.
This is hardly the first time that the festival has attracted such esteemed headliners, either. In 2018, artists such as Norah Jones and Bobby McFerrin graced the festival’s beachside stage. Other well-known artists who have performed at the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival include Sergio Mendes, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Manhattan Transfer, Marcus Miller, Pat Martino, George Benson, and Incognito.
It Sets A Festive Mood For The Season
The Riviera Maya Jazz Festival is typically held during the last week of November. It comes shortly after Thanksgiving and just before many people go into full holiday mode at the start of December. It is a great annual tradition to attend the festival to kick off the holiday season. Plan to spend an extra day or two to enjoy the holiday lights and decorations that are up in the city and nearby resorts.
The Festival Will Bring You To Mamita’s Beach Club
This festival is usually held at Mamita’s Beach Club. Since opening its doors in 2000, this beach club has transformed from a small, family-owned business to a larger enterprise. It overcame extensive damage from Hurricane Wilma in 2005, and it came back better than ever after renovations and expansions. It has 650 feet of picturesque beach in Playa Del Carmen. The beach club also has an adults-only swimming pool and a kiddie pool for families.
Festival Attendees Enjoy Other Adventures in Quintana Roo
The festival is held at one of the most beautiful locales in the world. To truly enjoy all that it has to offer, plan to stay a few extra days to explore the many fun things in and around Quintana Roo. Stroll and do a little shopping along Fifth Avenue. Take advantage of the many snorkeling and diving opportunities in the area. Discover the charms of Los Fundadores Park.
Go swimming in a cenote. Prepare to be deeply touched by many of the works of art displayed in the Frida Kahlo Museum. Learn about some of the area’s fascinating history with visits to the ruins at Tulum and Cobá. Also, eat well while in Quintana Roo at such restaurants as Caribe Vegano, Antojito Con Amor, and Vegan Planet.